American teen's unusual talent: Singing Chinese opera

Tyler Thompson is an unlikely star in the world of Chinese opera. The black teenager from Oakland has captivated audiences in the US and China with his ability to sing pitch-perfect Mandarin and perform the ancient Chinese art form. -- PHOTO: AP OAKLAND - TYLER Thompson is an unlikely star in the world of Chinese opera. The black teenager from Oakland has captivated audiences in the US and China with his ability to sing pitch-perfect Mandarin and perform the ancient Chinese art form. 'As soon as he opens his mouth and sings in Chinese, the Chinese are very surprised and then feel very proud of him,' said his music teacher Sherlyn Chew. 'When he puts on the costume, and all the acting, you can see that he's pretty good.' Tyler, 15, is a standout student in Chew's Oakland-based Purple Silk Music Education programme, which teaches children and youth - mostly from low-income i...